Q & A: Electionistas on Campus!

Rebecca Doepke, the president of College Republicans at the University of Minnesota, and Daveen Trentman, the vice president of College Democrats at the University of Minnesota, discuss being politically active on campus and the major issues facing college students in this election.

Seventeen: Why did you want to get involved with a political organization on campus?

Rebecca Doepke: My sophomore year I saw things happening in our country and decisions being made that I didn't agree with. I realized that I couldn't complain about things that were happening because I wasn't doing anything to try and change the situation. I figured the only way to try and really get my voice heard, and to try and make change, was to get involved.

Daveen Trentman: I do politics because I have to. The decisions being made directly affect me as a woman, a student, and as a young adult. I got involved because it is absolutely critical for youth to be involved in elections, both local and national, if we want to see progress happen in real ways that will benefit us in the future.

17: What do you think are some of the biggest issues for college students in this election?

RD: For students right now, it is student loans and tuition, job availability, and some of the big social issues. Students right now are graduating with a ton of student loan debt and, on top of that, there are minimal jobs available. I think students are looking at candidates in this election to see who is going to make the future better. We are told in middle and high school that going to college will get you a good job and will help you to have the best future possible. Right now, college students are seeing that while a college degree still helps you get a job, it isn't a guarantee anymore.

DT: This election presents a choice between two fundamentally different visions for the direction of America. As students, and as young people, we have the most to lose. There are two amendments that will be on Minnesota's ballot this November, one of which could potentially limit the freedom to marry. The other, if passed, will disenfranchise countless people, students in particular. Obama is fighting for students and the issues that are important to us now, such as healthcare, jobs, the economy, and issues that will affect us down the road, such as social security, and Medicare/Medicaid.

RD: To build on the election year's natural momentum, my goal is to try and reach different segments of the population and inform people as much as possible. Right now we are in the process of setting up some large debates between candidates, bringing in bigger name speakers to raise awareness, and working with other organizations to educate and inform students on campus about voting and its importance.

DT: We believe in grassroots democracy, so this fall will consist of door knocking, dorm storming, phone banking, clip-boarding, and weekly meetings. College Democrats at the U of MN has a conversation-based ideology, so one person at a time, we will be registering students to vote and talk with them about what's at stake this election.

17: What restrictions do you face as a political group on campus?

RD: As a partisan political group, we are not able to apply for funding. That is a huge restriction that we face. Funding is critical to get things accomplished.

DT: We don't have money to pour into our organization or local and national candidates. That is why it is so critical to get out the vote and work to have an exceptionally high voter turn out.

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Seventeen participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.